Hi Henry,
I used to be a TKI at CAE Oxford until this summer.
You will be given all the manuals that you require, no need to go to the expense of buying extra, plus there is a risk that you wont get the up to date manuals buying them yourself.
2 Phases of 7 subjects each phase about 12 weeks long with EASA exams at the end of each phase.
Phase 1 - Human Performance, Aircraft Systems, PofF, Flight Instruments, Electrics, Met, Engines. Phase 2 - Radio Nav, Air Law, Mass& Balance, Flight Planning, op Procedures, aircraft performance and Gen Nav.
You will have a progress test part of the way through the phase to see how your assimilating the information and to also have a chance for you to see how you're doing, this is not pass/fail. At the end of the study weeks there is a school final that you will need to pass before being entered for the EASA exams. If you fail it, you will be given an opportunity to retake the exam (not the same questions) during the week before the EASA exams are due. You do not have to start the phase again, but you will be recoursed if you fail again.
You cannot afford to take any time off during the phase, otherwise you will miss lessons and will find it very difficult to catch up.
My advice, dedicate yourself to studying and doing homework and all of the CBT training as it's progressed, don't fall behind. It is hard work but then we want those who are able and willing to work in this industry.
You cannot drop a subject or swap subjects around, they are geared up for the best learning practice. Another bit of advice is to do some group study, you tend to find that some understand some of the subjects better than others and you can sometimes bounce off each other.
The instructors are there to help you and will spend extra time with you, particularly at lunchtimes. Do not be afraid to ask if you don't understand something, we would rather you came and spoke to us rather than suffer in silence.
CAE have a high success rate and the training is well proven, the instructors are all very experienced and dedicated to achieving high standards.
I wish you well. If you want to do some pre-reading then take a look at some of the pooleys PPL books, they will put you in the right frame of mind and give you an introduction to the theory training.